Means for retaining heat in steam-boilers.



W. O. CLARKE.

MEANS FOR RETAINING HEAT IN STEAM BOILERS. APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 9, 1909.

949,79& Patented Feb. 22, 1910.

barren s'rAa ns rArnnr marten WILLIAM CHARLES CLARKE, or SHELIBUBNE, ONTARIO, CANADA.

MEANS FOR RETAINING HEAT IN STEAM-BOILERS.

Application filed March 9, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VILLIAM O. CLARKE, citizen of Canada, residing at Shelburne, in the county of Dufferin and Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented new and useful Improvements in Means for Retaining Heat in Steam-Boilers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention pertains to means for retaining heat in steam boilers-z'. 6., means for closing the forward ends of steam boiler flues with a view of conserving the fire and preventing the escape of the heated gases and other products of combustion, and in that way maintaining steam pressure for a considerable period without the addition of fuel to the fire.

The object of the invention is to provide a closure-body for the purpose stated, arranged and movable in the smoke box of a steam boiler and combined with simple and easily and quickly adjusted extensible rods, whereby, when it is desired to close the forward ends of the boiler fiues, the closure body may be securely and tightly fixed against the forward head of the boiler and over the forward ends of the fines extending therethrough.

Vith the foregoing in view, the invention will be fully understood from the following description and claim when the same are read in connection with the drawings, accompanying and forming part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a detail longitudinal vertical section illustrating a portion of a steam boiler equipped with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a view taken at a right angle to Fig. 1, in the plane indicated by the line A-B of Fig. 1, and showing part of the closure body broken away.

Similar letters designate corresponding parts in both views of the drawings, referring to which:

A is a steam boiler having the usual smoke-box a, forward head I), flues o, and mud-port (Z, and B is my novel closure body, arranged and movable in the smoke box a.

C C are the extensible rods for securing the body B against the forward head of the boiler and over the forward ends of the fines. These extensible rods respectively comprise a member at having a lateral head n at its inner end in which head is a longitudinally-disposed threaded aperture, and a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 22, 1910.

Serial No. 482,409.

screw p extending through and adjustable in the head at and in a plane parallel to the major portion of member m.

In practice, when it is desired to close the forward ends of the boiler flues, the body B is arranged against the forward head of the boiler and over the forward ends of the fiues, and the rods C, interposed between the body B and the outer end wall '2" of the smoke box, are increased in length by turning the screws 79 in the members m, whereupon, as will be readily understood, the said rods C by bearing against the wall 1* of the smoke box, will hold the closure body B tightly and securely against the forward head of the boiler and thereby close the forward ends of the flues for the purpose stated. When it is desired to reestablish communication between the forward ends of the boiler lines and an uptake, the rods G are diminished in length, and the closure body B moved away from the forward head of the boiler; the said closure body B and the rods C being left in the smoke box for repeated use.

Experience has demonstrated that when in use the closure body B prevents the escape of heat from the fines, and when there is practically no heat, said body B prevents the passage of cold air through the flues and by so doing maintains the steam pressure for a considerable period. From this it fol lows that in cold weather my improvements will prevent freezing of pipes connected with the boiler.

It is advisable when the closure body B is put in use, to leave the usual door of the smoke box open to a slight extent and to close by a damper or other means (not shown) the chimney or uptake A Then the closure body B is made of light sheet-iron, I prefer to provide the same with a reinforcing and stiffening strip 8, and it is obvious that the closure body may be recessed as shown to accommodate the mudport, and may otherwise be accommodated to appurtenances in the smoke box without affecting my invention.

In addition to the advantages hereinbefore ascribed to my improvements, it will be noted that the same are inexpensive and are well adapted to withstand the usage to which boiler appurtenances are ordinarily subjected.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Pat ent, is:

The combination with the boiler having the lines and smoke-box; of the closure body 5 arranged and movable in the smoke box, and

extensible rods interposed between the closure body and the outer end wall of the smoke box and respectively comprising a member having a lateral head in which is a 10 longitudinally-disposed threaded aperture, 1

and a screw bearing and adjustable longitudinally through said aperture.

Shelburne, Ont, 10th May, 1909.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Wit- 15 nesses.

WILLIAM CHARLES CLARKE.

Witnesses VVINIFRED CLARKE, JEssIE CLARKE. 

